"Be Nice to Monty" campaign at US Open

Moments after arriving in Farmingdale, New York, yesterday to watch a U.S. Open practice round, Tom Markowski was handed a red, white and black button that asked him to ``Be Nice to Monty.''

Markowski is one of more than 25,000 people who will receive the button from Golf Digest magazine, which is urging fans to treat Scotland's Colin Montgomerie with more respect during this week's U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park.

The temperamental Montgomerie, who has led the European PGA Tour in earnings a record seven times, has been a target of U.S. golf fans for years. With the 2002 Open being held not far from New York City, where fans aren't shy about voicing their opinions, Montgomerie may draw even more heckling than usual.

``You always know where you stand in New York,'' said U.S. PGA Tour player Notah Begay. ``This is one of the toughest places to play any sport. The fans tell you exactly how you're doing.''

That's what happened at the 1995 U.S. Open at New York's Shinnecock Hills, where some fans kept calling Montgomerie ``Mrs. Doubtfire,'' suggesting that he looked like Robin Williams's cross- dressing character in the 1993 film.

He also was repeatedly heckled during the 1999 Ryder Cup matches in Massachusetts and recently threatened never to play in the U.S. again after an elderly fan at the Players Championship reminded him that he has never won a major tournament and urged him to return to Scotland.

Poor Etiquette

Golf Digest spokesman Andrew Katcher said those outbursts are an example of how golf course etiquette has declined as the sport has become more popular. While fans used to politely clap their hands after a good shot, many now shout ``You da Man'' after every one of Tiger Woods' tee shots.

``There really is no place in golf for loud-mouth idiots that heckle Colin Montgomerie or any other player,'' Katcher said.

Markowski, a 67-year-old retired insurance executive from Margate, New Jersey, agrees.

``I think he's suffered enough,'' he said. ``I'll support him.''

The ``Be Nice to Monty'' campaign is the latest promotion by Golf Digest, which has issued buttons promoting Arnold Palmer for U.S. president, criticizing slow play and encouraging the use of caddies. The magazine has also urged fans that can't be in New York to write a letter to receive a button in the mail.

While a small metal button isn't likely to stop a would-be heckler, especially not a street-smart New Yorker, Katcher said the magazine hopes it will at least make fans think twice before shouting an insult at a golfer.

`Bad Attitude'

Tom May, a 21-year-old student from Rocky Hill, Connecticut, was handed a ``Be Nice to Monty'' button in the Jones Beach parking lot. He wasn't sure he would take the advice.

``I've never liked him,'' May said. ``He has a bad attitude and isn't like other golfers that try to be nice to the fans. He always has a puss on.''

Montgomerie, who's never won on the U.S. PGA Tour and lost in a playoff to Tiger Woods at last month's Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Germany, was given 45 of the buttons and said he plans to put one on his golf bag. His caddie, Andy Prodger, is wearing one on the side of his hat.

``I don't mind it,'' said Montgomerie, who turns 39 later this month. ``If they save me some problems, then that's what it's about, and it will have worked. And I think it will.''